Still here...

For those who have been looking for an update lately and haven't seen one lately, it is do largely ot the fact that our editor is currently on medical leave and I've been filling in for her for the last three weeks.
She will be out at least three more weeks, but could be as long as nine more. Putting in major hours at this point, but I'm really enjoying the exper ience and could see myself wanting to do that at some point in my career.
I also like my daughter telling everyone we see that daddy is "the boss."
Anyhow, as the sports season gets closer we'll be back in full swing and better than ever. Look for another update in the next few days

Let the Can-Am Cup hype begin...

One of my favorite events of the year to cover is the Maritime Festival, because those duties have given me a chance to check out the Can-Am Cup. The Cup is a series of jet ski races between American and Canadian racers, to crown a champion.
Well that might not mean a whole lot, it just happens over the course of the last few years it has become one of the top jet ski races by fan attendance in the entire Untied States. Add in the National Racing action that will also be takign place over the weekend and you've got some pretty of the most exciting watercraft action you will ever see.
If that hype does get your engines going, jsut check out this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxkKBU1PV98.

Top Five Most Memorable Moments of the Year

So now is the time of the year that blog like these hit a slow period. Not that there was always great discussions, but when the topic was right there was some interesting back-and-forth banter.

In the spirit of keeping that going, I decided to post this topic about eveeryone's opinion on the top five five most memorable moments from the past high school sports seasons. I encourage you all to do the same.

So here's the list...

5. Grant Pichla scores a two-point conversion in the waning seconds of the Regionals to give Ubly a 22-21 win over Royal Oak Shrine.

Ballsiest call I've ever seen. Coach Sweeney left it up to the team as to whether they went for the tie ir the win... the players wanted to go for it and apparently made the right call.

4. Kaycee Damm returns as an honorary captain for the Laker/Harbor Beach game.

In sports, most of the special moments I get to cover revolve around accomplishments on the playing field. This one had nothing to do with that. Damm, who ws recovering from a life-threatening car accident, made an appearance atthe game, had a meal with the team and served as a captain for the game. Damm inspired her team to a win that night and to many more throughout the season. Who would have thought she would be back on the court playing volleyball just a few months after this.

2 (tie). Ubly wins second straight D4 track title; USA wins second straight D3 softball crown.

Two state champions, how can you pick one over the other?

1. Brennan Pitcher is diagnosed with cancer.

I really went back-and-forth on to whether this should be included on the list as it wasn't necessarily a sports moment per say, but when you factor in its impact I decided to include it (Pitcher played football, was a starter in basketball and held a D4 State Finals record in the 3,200 relay). I remember it was halftime of the USA/Bad Axe game at USA and me and another reporter where in the room where they store concessions and where we stuffed our bags. A parent came in two grab some more pop and asked if we had heard about Brennan. When he told us, we were shocked and pretty much nothing that happened the rest of the night mattered... it was only a game. On a positive, as sad as that moment was, it has been a true joy everytime I have seen him at a game since, hanging with his boys like just another high schooler.

So here is your chance... share your thoughts on my moments and let me know yours!

BREAKING NEWS: Jaw injury could sideline Kobayashi

According to a story from www.yahoo.com (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070625/lf_afp/lifestylejapanushealthfoodpeople_07062513004), hot dog eating champion Kobayashi has been diagnosed with jaw athritis and may not be able to compete in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th.
Kobyashi set a world record by eating 53 3/4 hot dogs in 12 minutes last year. He is also a word title holder in other eating categories like calf brains and rice balls.
I thought leading with this was mroe interesting than just saying that I'm back from vacation and had a good time. BTW, the Maverick is now my favorite ride at Cedar Point.

Taking a few days off/Luxury Tax discussion

Well folks after a long high school sports season, I'm going to be taking the next few days off. But much like the last two vacations I've had (a family trip to Florida last summer with my side of the family and a four-day WrestleMania/Opening Day adventure with Diddy), there probably won't be much resting involved.
We're heading down to Cedar Point with my in-laws and Jill's brother and his family. Much like last year's trek to the Sunshine State, I think they'll be a lot of fodder for a column, but that one might be a blog exclusive, because my in-laws get the newspaper and I don't want that knowledge to force me to hold back on an honest look at the trip.

So until I get back Sunday night here is a topic to discuss... I read on www.detroittigers.com that the legislature is proposing a 6% luxury tax on sporting event, concert and movie tickets. They believe that will bring in $100 million dollars to the State. What are your thoughts?

Finals Photo Gallery

Catcher Carly Treiber chases after a bunt.
Marissa Lemere at the plate

Brennan Pitcher cheers for and points to his girlfriend Katie Rayl after her long first inning HR.

Minda Martinez

Mercy Martinez's 1st HR of the season

Marissa Lemere

Katie Rayl lets teammates know they are one out away from a championship.

Lemere on the mound

Lemere and Treiber

Rayl and Dani Gremel

The champs!

BREAKING NEWS: Back-to-Back champs...again

Who would have thought that after never having an area team win back-to-back State Titles in my lifetime, I would witness two in the same sports season (actually two within two weeks time).

The USA softball team made that impossible dream come true with an 8-0 bashing of Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. USA smashed three home runs in the game including one of the longest round trippers I've ever seen in a softball game by Katie Rayl, to give the Patriots a 2-0 edge at the time.

Gremel went yard in the fourth, while Mercy Martinez homered to start a rally in the bottom of the sixth. It was Mercy's first HR of the year, a fact that she said her teammates teased her about.

Not only did Mercy hit a round tripped to lead off the sixth, she nearly hit another in her second at-bat of the inning. Had it not been for a high leap by the centerfielder on what would be considered the warning track on most fields (there was technically no warning track here, because it was a baseball field converted to a softball field)to snag the ball.

The win was coach Larry Houthoofd's 75th win in just his second season as Pats coach (he is 75-5 for a .938 winning percentage).

For a complete story on USA's championship win, check out your local publication this Wednesday.